Dartford Loop Line
| Dartford Loop Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Commuter rail, Suburban rail |
| System | National Rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Greater London |
| Termini | Charing Cross |
| Operation | |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Operator(s) | Southeastern |
| Rolling stock | British Rail Class 376 British Rail Class 465 British Rail Class 466 |
| Technical | |
| No. of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 750 DC third rail |
| Dartford Loop Line | |
|---|---|
The Dartford Loop Line (often referred to as the Sidcup Line) is one of three lines linking London with Dartford in Kent, England. It lies to the south of the other two: the North Kent Line and the Bexleyheath Line.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Construction
It was opened by the South Eastern Railway on 1 September 1866: because there are no major engineering works on the route it took a mere four years to build.
[edit] Electrification
The line was electrified with the other SECR local routes to Dartford on 6 June 1926 by Southern Railway.
[edit] Stations
The line is a little over 14 km (8.7 mi) in length. The following are the stations served:
- Hither Green - the station lies on the main line from London to Kent: there are separate platforms for the Loop Line
- here there is a triangular junction for freight traffic going to the extensive Hither Green freight sidings
- Lee
- Mottingham - named Eltham until 1927
- New Eltham - built in 1878 to serve a growing suburban area; originally named Pope Street
- Sidcup
- Albany Park - opened 7 July 1935 to serve a new housing development
- Bexley (the scene of the Bexley derailment)
- Crayford
- here there is a triangular junction with the North Kent Line providing access to the Slade Green carriage sidings and to Dartford.
[edit] Future plans
The line was due to be served by Thameslink trains following the completion of the first phase of the Thameslink Programme, however plans have since seen these services added to the North Kent Line instead.
[edit] Service patterns
Off-peak & Saturday:
- 2tph between London Charing Cross & Gravesend (not calling at Lewisham, St Johns & New Cross)
- 2tph between London Cannon Street & Crayford, continuing to London Cannon Street via North Kent Line & Greenwich Line (calling at Lewisham, New Cross & St Johns)
Evenings & Sunday:
- 2tph between London Charing Cross & Gravesend (calling at New Cross on Monday - Saturday evenings only, not calling at St Johns & New Cross on Sunday's)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Dartford Loop Railway (Bexley Council Local Studies Note)
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